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Does Stress And Anxiety Cause Stomach Problems?
Question: I am a 61 year old female. I have used your site before. I have acid reflux/IBS and anxiety. I take Prilosec 2x a day, and Zoloft for anxiety... and Xanax if needed. I am under much stress but not sure if this is the reason for my symptoms. I always been a anxious person, and when I get this way, it goes right to my stomach... I see a psychologist for my anxiety/ panic attacks. I have this feeling of a lump sensation in my throat or my swallowing. Its there even if I am not eating. So my mind is constantly focused on this all day... this is part of my anxiety.. I am a health hypochondriac. When I swallow it does feel like things stick. Nothing comes back up.. went to the ENT a couple of days ago , all was good, he scoped down there. I also had great bloodwork... could this be stress related. I would think the Prilosec protects my esophagus? Just worried.. stomach acts up too some days too...
Brief Answer:
All your symptoms might due to stress.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena.
I had gone through your query and your medical history.
Since you are experiencing symptoms that don't match to a specific disease and your tests come clear I think your symptoms are due to your stress and anxiety.
This is a way that your mind use to project anxiety and stress to somatic complains.
It is known that excessive stress cause an increased production of stomach acid and this leads to gastritis and gastroesophageal relux.So your stomach symptoms are due to stress and anxiety.
To answer your question yes Prilosec protects your esophageus and your stomach.
Prilosec is a trade name for Omeprazole.
Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach.
PPI work by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, and this allows the stomach and esophagus to heal.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to answer.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
All your symptoms might due to stress.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena.
I had gone through your query and your medical history.
Since you are experiencing symptoms that don't match to a specific disease and your tests come clear I think your symptoms are due to your stress and anxiety.
This is a way that your mind use to project anxiety and stress to somatic complains.
It is known that excessive stress cause an increased production of stomach acid and this leads to gastritis and gastroesophageal relux.So your stomach symptoms are due to stress and anxiety.
To answer your question yes Prilosec protects your esophageus and your stomach.
Prilosec is a trade name for Omeprazole.
Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach.
PPI work by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, and this allows the stomach and esophagus to heal.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to answer.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
I am so worried that this sensation could be cancer. I had endo/colonscopy done 4 years ago. I did have a abdominal xray done about 7 months ago too...
Brief Answer:
In my opinion all this is due to your anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand you are concerned about your health.
Let suppose for a moment you are a patient that come to me for the first time complaining for this lump-like sensation in the throat.
The medical term for a lump-like sensation in the throat is a “globus” sensation, like you have a world globe stuck in the back of your throat. Often this lump has been there a while and seems to be getting worse. It may be felt every time you swallow or even every time you talk.
In this case I as your treating doctor I would come out with 3 possibilities:
1)One of the most common causes is acid reflux coming up from the stomach and burning the posterior larynx,swelling this area. The acid reflux effectively causes an acid burn of the throat tissues resulting in swelling that feels like a golf ball is stuck in the throat.
I would examine this area with a flexible scope and in this case the posterior larynx would be swelled and red.
2) Less commonly, a lump-like sensation in this area can signify tumor growth.
And since this is the most serious possibility I would perform an examination of the throat with a ultra-thin flexible scope.With this examination I would exclude or confirm a tumor growth in your throat.
3)The last possibility is a commonly applied medical diagnosis called globus hystericus, defined as a lump-like sensation in the throat thought to be caused by anxiety.This diagnosis is left after excluding the other condition by examining your throat.
Now,since you told me your doctor had you done an examination of your throat he excluded the other possibilities and the only left is that this symptom is due to your anxiety.
Try not to think about this or when you think you might have cancer start thinking all the examination you have done and If there were something wrong it would came out after this exams.
If you have any further question,I will be happy to answer it.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
In my opinion all this is due to your anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand you are concerned about your health.
Let suppose for a moment you are a patient that come to me for the first time complaining for this lump-like sensation in the throat.
The medical term for a lump-like sensation in the throat is a “globus” sensation, like you have a world globe stuck in the back of your throat. Often this lump has been there a while and seems to be getting worse. It may be felt every time you swallow or even every time you talk.
In this case I as your treating doctor I would come out with 3 possibilities:
1)One of the most common causes is acid reflux coming up from the stomach and burning the posterior larynx,swelling this area. The acid reflux effectively causes an acid burn of the throat tissues resulting in swelling that feels like a golf ball is stuck in the throat.
I would examine this area with a flexible scope and in this case the posterior larynx would be swelled and red.
2) Less commonly, a lump-like sensation in this area can signify tumor growth.
And since this is the most serious possibility I would perform an examination of the throat with a ultra-thin flexible scope.With this examination I would exclude or confirm a tumor growth in your throat.
3)The last possibility is a commonly applied medical diagnosis called globus hystericus, defined as a lump-like sensation in the throat thought to be caused by anxiety.This diagnosis is left after excluding the other condition by examining your throat.
Now,since you told me your doctor had you done an examination of your throat he excluded the other possibilities and the only left is that this symptom is due to your anxiety.
Try not to think about this or when you think you might have cancer start thinking all the examination you have done and If there were something wrong it would came out after this exams.
If you have any further question,I will be happy to answer it.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
you have been probably the best Dr. I have had on the internet... just one more question and I promise no more... could this be my esophagus? Would that scope down my throat show that?
Brief Answer:
No,that scope doesn't show your esophagus.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank You for your words.I really appreciate.
I don't think it's your esophagus because esophagus disorders usually doesn't give a lump-like sensation in the throat.
If think you are concerned about the possibility of a esophagus cancer but if you had this you would suffer dysphagia which is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, or the feeling that food is " sticking" in your throat or chest,pain when swallowing and weight loss.
Dysphagia in this case is vary specific because at beginning of this disease you experience difficulty only when you swallow solid foods but you don't have any problem will liquid foods.This dysphagia is progressive and with time this patients can't swallow anything.
I don't think you have any problem with your esophagus but since the only way you can be in peace with this and don't think it anymore is to get your esophagus examined.
The scope you did just let the doctor to see your throat but not your esophagus.
To examine the esophagus you need to do a esophagoscopy (a tube is inserted into your esophagus )
I don't think you need it but if this makes you more tranquil about your health go for it.
Hope It was useful.
Wish you a good health.
Regards.
Dr.Rovena
No,that scope doesn't show your esophagus.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank You for your words.I really appreciate.
I don't think it's your esophagus because esophagus disorders usually doesn't give a lump-like sensation in the throat.
If think you are concerned about the possibility of a esophagus cancer but if you had this you would suffer dysphagia which is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, or the feeling that food is " sticking" in your throat or chest,pain when swallowing and weight loss.
Dysphagia in this case is vary specific because at beginning of this disease you experience difficulty only when you swallow solid foods but you don't have any problem will liquid foods.This dysphagia is progressive and with time this patients can't swallow anything.
I don't think you have any problem with your esophagus but since the only way you can be in peace with this and don't think it anymore is to get your esophagus examined.
The scope you did just let the doctor to see your throat but not your esophagus.
To examine the esophagus you need to do a esophagoscopy (a tube is inserted into your esophagus )
I don't think you need it but if this makes you more tranquil about your health go for it.
Hope It was useful.
Wish you a good health.
Regards.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I PAID for more questions so I can rest assure I am fine.. I have had acid reflux for 20 years... this scares me for cancer. I feel the lump off and on... and food does feel like it gets stuck sometimes... and I do burp up food.. not into my mouth but throat, but I told this to the ENT.. HE put me on a nasal spray, and suggested I lose weight cause it will relieve this. I have a follow up apt with him in 3 weeks.. again my test there was good, and bloodwork good. Just so upset about the lump feeling... can that globus sensation cause food to stick...
Brief Answer:
Apologies for the late reply.
Detailed Answer:
Esophageal cancer is not something that grows abruptly. And the fact that tests were normal 6 months ago should also reassure you.
I understand the 20 years of acid reflux is concerning you. But based on your description, I don't suspect esophageal cancers from your symptoms. As you still feel the burping from reflux, you should take adequate measures and treat it. Weight reduction will help you. But its is unlikely from cancers.
Talk to your scopist about esphagoscope. It will put your mind to rest.
Regards
Apologies for the late reply.
Detailed Answer:
Esophageal cancer is not something that grows abruptly. And the fact that tests were normal 6 months ago should also reassure you.
I understand the 20 years of acid reflux is concerning you. But based on your description, I don't suspect esophageal cancers from your symptoms. As you still feel the burping from reflux, you should take adequate measures and treat it. Weight reduction will help you. But its is unlikely from cancers.
Talk to your scopist about esphagoscope. It will put your mind to rest.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
The test I had 6 months ago was just a abdominal x ray ENT throat scope and bloodwork is all that was done. Does this show the esophagus??? I will contact my GI and ask for more tests. thanks...
Brief Answer:
The studies you have done don't show the esophagus
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
A throat scope and an abdominal X-ray doesn't show your esophagus.
The only way to see directly your esophagus and see if it has pathological changes is Esophagoscopy(endoscopy ).
With this examination your doctor can exclude the presence of a tumoral growth.
It also is useful to the the severity of acid reflux and the damage he has caused in your esophagus.
I suggest you to do this examination.In this way you can definitely get the cancer idea out your mind and also it serves for your treating doctor to understand your symptoms and decide the best way to treat GERD according to the severity of acid reflux.
If you have further questions please write me.
Wish you a good health.
Dr.Rovena
The studies you have done don't show the esophagus
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
A throat scope and an abdominal X-ray doesn't show your esophagus.
The only way to see directly your esophagus and see if it has pathological changes is Esophagoscopy(endoscopy ).
With this examination your doctor can exclude the presence of a tumoral growth.
It also is useful to the the severity of acid reflux and the damage he has caused in your esophagus.
I suggest you to do this examination.In this way you can definitely get the cancer idea out your mind and also it serves for your treating doctor to understand your symptoms and decide the best way to treat GERD according to the severity of acid reflux.
If you have further questions please write me.
Wish you a good health.
Dr.Rovena
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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